Including your pet in your New Year’s Resolution

It’s that time of year again. It’s time to reflect on the last 365 days and think of how your next 365 days can be even better. It’s common to have a New Year’s Resolution that includes improving your health, and why not include Fido in that quest?

We have a few suggestions of how you and your four-legged companion can get healthier and happier in 2018.

Don’t have a pet? No problem! We have over one hundred that would love your company and be happy to help you better yourself. Whether you have your pet or not, signing up to be a volunteer at HSMC (or any other shelter) is a great way to not only give back to the community, but also to stay active and feel better about yourself! Dog walking is a great form of exercise that benefits you and a shelter pet. We have a beautiful walking path over one mile long around the shelter, not to mention that Sunnyvale Park and Man Made are right next door. Put on that bright green vest, collar up and hit the trails! What’s better than fresh air and enriching the life of a shelter dog, while getting your heart rate up? Not only will you and the dog have fun, but did you know that regular brisk walking can help you to:

Maintain a healthy weight
Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
Strengthen your bones and muscles
Improve your mood
Improve your balance and coordination

The faster, farther and more frequently you walk, the greater the benefits. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/walking/art-20046261)

Ok, so you’re not a dog person? That’s fine, too. We have cats and small animals that need socializing, too! Not to mention the other ways you can be active at the shelter, like cleaning, dishes, laundry, shoveling, etc. Any way you look at it, getting involved is a good idea!

Make time each day to take your dog for a walk. Sounds simple, right? And maybe you’re already doing this (good for you!), but it’s easy to find excuses after a busy work day or hectic schedule to make time for your own furry friend. Some people’s schedules may not allow them the time to get out and volunteer with shelter pets, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spare a few extra moments for man’s best friend of your own. Start each day with a walk around the block, or make a point to take a walk as soon as you get home from work or school. Have the kids come, too. Have your spouse or significant other come along and use this as bonding time, too! You’ll start to look forward to that time together and your pet will certainly appreciate it. And let’s not forget those health benefits of walking we just mentioned above! Have a cat instead? Ok, so maybe you’re not going to walk the cat, but you can still make time to play with or bond with your feline. Take time out of each day to play with the laser pointer, fake mice or jingle ball toy. If your cat isn’t much for playing, spend a few moments brushing or petting. They say having pets helps you live longer, so take the time to love them for it.

Watch what you (and your pets) eat. A lot of us have goals to improve our eating habits. Maybe we’ll try to go without soda for 2018, or cut down on how many times we eat fast food per week or month. Just as you want to watch your health and what you’re eating, do so for your pets, too! Pay attention to their health and look at the ingredients of the food you’re feeding. Maybe 2018 will be the year you switch to a better brand of dog or cat food and spend a little more at the pet store each month. You should also make sure you are measuring your pet’s food, every time. Often times we feed the bowl and not the pet, meaning we put food in the bowl when it’s empty and not on a schedule, so we may be feeding our pets when they aren’t hungry which can lead to obesity. Measuring their food each time and sticking to a feeding schedule will help your pet to stay healthy!

Try a new adventure! Maybe you’re already taking that regular walk with your pooch and are ready to take it up a notch. Try something new with your pet! Maybe try out snow-shoeing together, or take a trip up to Rib Mountain and go for a hike. When the weather is warmer, try kayaking or canoeing. The options are endless! You and your pet will be able to bond and get the benefits of physical activity; that’s a win-win.

Brush your teeth everyday! Again, we’re probably already doing this multiple times a day. But are you brushing your pets’ teeth each day? Talk to your vet about which products they recommend and let the fun begin! Once your pet is used to the brushing, it will be less of a hassle. Some pets even enjoy it! If brushing doesn’t go well, there are still ways you can improve your pets’ dental health! There are a lot of dental treats and even water additives that can help reduce tartar. Let’s also not forget that a trip to the vet for a dental cleaning is always a good option, too.

Make time for your friends! Make 2018 the year that you’ll respond to texts or calls right away instead of forgetting about them for a day or two. Make time for dinner with friends once a month or as your schedule will allow to stay in touch and nourish your friendships. Do the same for your pets! Schedule play dates, take trips to the dog park or even throw your pet a birthday party. Providing time for your pet to interact with other animals is good for their health and their social skills!

Lastly, if you’re a cat owner, your cat probably doesn’t need a New Year’s Resolution because they are perfect already, or they just don’t care.

Happy New Year!

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